Five Reasons Why The Whitecaps Will Defeat Sporting Kansas City

Instead of offering up just another bland match preview, I've come up with five (fairly) solid reasons of why the Vancouver Whitecaps FC will defeat Sporting Kansas City this weekend. If you're against excessive positivity, at the bottom I've also listed who won't be playing for the Whitecaps due to U-20 action or injury.


1. It's SKC's third away trip in a row

That's right, looking at Kansas City's past two matches I noticed that their trip to Vancouver will be their third away game in a row. While this might mean nothing to some who rarely play soccer on their own, I can tell you from experience that driving just 30 minutes to get to my soccer match poops me out. I can't imagine flying hours to play away matches, with away crowds booing, three times in a row. That has to have some sort of fatigue effect in my opinion. And if it doesn't, the fact that the match is being played at Empire Field (100% winning record at home!) will certainly be a boost for the Whitecaps.

Leathers will know everything about SKC

2. Leathers wants revenge (well, not exactly)

You may or may not know that the Whitecaps defender Jonathan Leathers used to play for Sporting Kansas City back when the club was called Kansas City Wizards. When asked about it, Leathers remained humble and kind, praising the former club while calmly stating that "it's just another game". But I know that when Leathers is on Empire Field against his ex-team, a fiery white-and-blue flame will ignite in Leathers's eyes. Surrounded by a cheering crowd of Whitecaps supporters, Leathers will have no mercy against his former teammates he knows so well. I expect bone-crunching tackles, blistering runs, and a spirited performance from the right-back (and maybe a goal?). The other advantage that Leathers offers is that he knows the Kansas City players; their strengths and their weaknesses.


3. Ochocinco has been a big distraction 

Chad Ochocinco, what a big and cool sounding name. The NFL star decided to return to soccer, and has become an "honorary member" of Sporting Kansas City now, with the chance to train with the reserves whenever he wants. But this honor didn't come right away for the American football star. Chad had to trial with Sporting Kansas City, in which he performed well, got the trial extended, and continued to practice with the MLS team. He got a chance to play about half an hour in a reserve game, and while his sprinting speed may be fantastic, his overall technique and stamina isn't up to professional soccer standards. But who cares? What does this have to do with the Whitecaps? Nothing. That's right, everyone in and around the Kansas City setup has been thinking about Chad Ochocinco, and his entrance into the team. Therefore, Vancouver can now strike like ninjas, covered by the large veil that is Chad Ochocinco's star power sucking up media attention. Strike swiftly my silent ninjas.


4. DeMerit is back!

There isn't much else to be said about this point. The return of the Whitecaps FC captain Jay DeMerit is a big one, providing a very solid rock in the center of defence which few will be able to surpass. Not only is he one of the best players on the field individually, but he raises the team's performance to a higher level. Overall, it just feels better having him play, wouldn't you agree?

Long Tan might be starting against SKC

5. An introduction of young goal-scorers


Eric Hassli's sending off against Philadelphia Union wasn't a good thing, especially because the Caps ended up conceding a goal and losing the game, but we can look at the positives. The main positive I see is that the Frenchman's absence offers a hole in the team, waiting to be filled by either Camilo or Long Tan. The opportunity to start in front of a home crowd is a pretty important one, and I'm sure that either Camilo or Long Tan will take it seriously and put in a huge amount of effort. This could be the chance for one of the two to score and impress coach Teitur, and don't be surprised if one of them takes it.


The unavailable players


While above there are five decent points on why the Whitecaps will defeat Sporting Kansas City, down here you've got a bit of bad news. Simply said, I'd much rather have Eric Hassli playing than not, but his red card against Philadelphia Union leaves him suspended for this match. While I wanted to see Omar Salgado step up and play in Hassli's absence, Salgado is unavailable as he is on international duty with the USA U20s, and similarly Russell Teibert is away with the Canada U20s and therefore unavailable. There's also a fairly lengthy list of injured players who are unavailable, Davide Chiumiento, Shea Salinas, John Thorrington, Jay Nolly and Michael Nanchoff will all be unable to play because of different types of strains and injuries. It's a big list of injured players which will hopefully diminish as the season goes on.


Prediction time


In the end I expect the Whitecaps to win a hard-fought game. I'm thinking 2-1 for the Caps, both goals scored by Atiba Harris. Now it's your turn, share your predictions and thoughts on the match below by commenting. Can the Whitecaps pull off a win?